facilities in europe. the total number of hostages is unclear due to conflicting reports. it appears to be between 30 and 40. reuter'ss is reporting at 30 hostages. >> we are working around the clock to ensure the safe return of our citizens. terrorists should be on notice that they will find no sanctuary, no refuge, not in algeria, not in north africa not anywhere. >> it appears the hostage takers planned to use their captives as leverage to force france to call off its offensive against an islamist of rising in mali. >> a woman was shot while riding a cta bus on the south side. it happened on the 300 block of west 69th street. a bus driver drove to the nearby red line state and crook -- and called police. she is in good condition. no one else was injured. police are investigating. >> attorneys will be at a cook county courtroom. the fulminate -- the nephew of former mayor richard daley is accused of killing. because of a potential conflict of interest, the judge will not be from cook county. >> the federal government confirms the blue is getting worse across the country.